When Richard Jahn isn’t painting, he’s fighting fires.
“He’s a very devoted family man,” said Ryan Runge of Arts Unlimited. “On top of that he’s a regular contributor to our shows.”
With nostalgic paintings of Renton Hill and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, the firefighter is emerging as one of Renton’s most well-known local artists.
He will also be the first to show at the new Go Deli in downtown Renton Jan. 30.
Go Deli features Richard Jahn
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Jan. 30.
Where: 306 Williams Ave. S.
Cost: Free
Gathering inspiration from the everyday subject matter of early Dutch artists, he paints his own environment.
“Most of it is pretty urban,” he said. “I want my art to be relevant.”
His art isn’t all scenery. In one set of abstract paintings, shapes twist with patterned lines and burn with bright colors.
“He’s an evolving traditional artist that is developing new techniques,” Runge said.
Jahn likes to play rock ‘n roll at his art shows, music that inspires his work, he said. “I really don’t like quiet art galleries.”
His love of art sets him apart from his fellow firefighters at
Station 17.
“It’s not a popular past time of my workmates,” he said, adding that they’re more likely to build decks, drive tractors and hunt.
Though his success spares him from some teasing, he keeps the two lives separate, enjoying each.
“I get to work on big fire trucks,” he said of his job. “Once in a while you get to save peoples’ lives.”
Firefighters usually work 24 hours, with 48 hours off between shifts. While many take second jobs, Jahn takes care of his 25-year-old son with Down Syndrome.
His studio is a stack of plastic drawers next to the kitchen table, he said. “I have an old yucky table cloth my wife absolutely hates.”
He first began painting as a student at Kentridge High School, he said. “I’ve always loved art, my whole life.”
When his three children were young, he drew them picture books to encourage their reading. Jahn realized then that he wanted to do more serious art, he said.
Although he took a few college art courses, they proved unfruitful, he said. “I didn’t like the way they viewed art.”
In 1986 he sold his first work from a Renton River Days booth and has been there every year since.
“I was pleasantly surprised. People received my art well,” he said.
He shows his work on a consistent basis, he said.
Runge attributes Jahn’s success to how often he shows his art and the subject matter, Renton and nearby cities.
“If you took a stroll through Renton Hill, you’d see a lot of my art,” Jahn said.
